Sara has anorexia. Sam secretly binge eats.

More than one million people in Australia have an eating disorder and cases are exploding.

Patients are getting younger. People are dying.

This documentary explores what it feels like to live with an eating disorder and meets the families desperate for their loved ones to get help.

It exposes a cruel and torturing illness that’s deeply misunderstood — and a health system in crisis.

0:00 Intro – The eating disorder within
2:09 Sara’s story – Anorexia nervosa
6:10 Trying to eat
13:36 Esther’s story – A child with anorexia
16:59 Sam’s story – Binge eating disorder
20:35 Australia’s only recovery centre
26:26 ‘Feels like a monster’
30:25 Caitlin’s story – Dying from anorexia
33:27 Genetics and eating disorders
35:10 Government responds
37:15 Graduation day
38:58 Sara’s future

This Four Corners documentary was originally broadcast as ‘Fading Away: Australia's secret battle with eating disorders’ on February 27, 2023, on ABC TV and ABC iview.

Read more about the story here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-27/eating-disorders-anorexia-mums-fight-for-daughters-four-corners/102012728

Update: After this episode aired, Sara Ahearn was admitted to Wandi Nerida for three months of treatment. In late 2023, she began fundraising in an effort to return there for more help.
Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler announced $20 million of funding for eating disorder programs in May 2023.

For help with eating disorders contact the Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 or ANZAED's Professionals Credentialed in Eating Disorders: https://connected.anzaed.org.au/treatmentproviders/

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